Imphal, Dec 1: Three major civil societies of the state –United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and Committee of Civil Society Kangleipak (CCSK) had submitted a memorandum to the prime Minister of India reminding its earlier stand on the issue of the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The memorandum was handed over to the national General Secretary of BJP Ram Madhav yesterday evening. It was submitted as per resolution of the One day Public Dialogue held on November 18, 2017 at Lamyanba Sanglen Palace Compound here in Imphal.

In the memorandum it is stated that theFramework Agreement shall not disturb and interfere into the unity and territorial integrity of Manipur under any condition. It further stated that even if the government of India assures that the geographical boundary of the North Eastern states will remain intact, anything which subsequently relates to the ongoing Framework Agreement cannot be taken up inside Manipur without the prior sanction and approval of the State Government and the People of Manipur.

The memorandum also stated its strong opposition to any steps that might directly or indirectly disintegrate the state to endorse the long standing demand of the NSCN-IM to integrate naga inhabited area such as arrangement of Pan Naga Cultural Provincial/Territorial Council or any other arrangement for financial autonomy or similar type.

The memorandum also demanded amendment of Article 3 of the constitution of India and also to amend the Article 371 (C).

The world over, this day has been designated the World Aids Day and is celebrated since 1988 to raise the public awareness about AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome), a pandemic disease caused due to the infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. The day is celebrated by the government organizations, NGOs, civil society and other health officials by organizing the speeches or forums discussion related to the AIDS.

According to a 2012 UNAIDS report, globally there are an estimated 34.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS and out of this 2.1 million are children while the rest are adults: males and females, and 2.5 million are newly infected with HIV as of December 2012. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

Manipur is one of the six high prevalence states in India with HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women attending ANC being 1.4% (Sentinel Surveillance 2006). Manipur with hardly 0.2% of India’s population is contributing nearly 8% of India’s total HIV positive cases. More and more interior and hill areas are affected and are yet to be covered. Interestingly, while the State AIDS Policy was adopted by the State Government on 3rd October, 1996 and became the first State in India to have a State AIDS Policy, a slogan on the webpage of Manipur Aids Control Society (MACS) reads “Let’s aids each other to combat AIDS”. It is also evidently clear from the figures given on the website that it has been a few years since any significant update or studies have been made regarding the current status of the state vis-à-vis the dreaded affliction.

While the picture on the state front is not satisfactory or inspiring to say the least, there are positive developments elsewhere which indicate that there might very well be a new hope in the fight against AIDS. A new clinical trial has been launched in South Africa Wednesday on an experimental vaccine that could prevent HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The latest trial is only the seventh full-scale human trial for a virus that infects more than 2 million people and kills over 1 million every year worldwide. According to a statement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), HVTN 702 is the largest and most advanced HIV vaccine clinical trial to be undertaken in South Africa, where more than 1,000 people are infected with HIV in a day. The first participant of the new trial was enrolled on Oct. 26, and the results of the clinical trial are expected in 2020. The new study is based on an earlier trial — RV 144 — conducted in Thailand in 2009 which showed 31 percent drop in infections which , while not significant, paved the way for further investigations and improvements.

While the world is pressing forwards in the search for a cure to the dreaded disease, the best possible means for the public to stay safe is to be aware of HIV/AIDS, and to treat those living with the condition with understanding and empathy, for nothing works against the efforts to contain and control the spread of HIV/AIDS than to stigmatise and show them contempt. The state government and its implementing agency needs to monitor and update information and data regarding HIV/AIDS on a regular basis so that concerned public can get a better picture of the situation in the state.

Imphal, Dec. 1: Chief Minister N. Biren has urged the people of the State, NGOs, doctors, health workers and all the stakeholders to collectively fight HIV/AIDS menace in the State.

He was speaking at the World AIDS Day - 2017 observance held under theme ‘Right to Health’ at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground today.

Stating that Government agencies like Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) together with NGOs have been trying hard to achieve ‘Zero Infection’ rate, the Chief Minister expressed pleasure that the HIV prevalence rate of the State has reduced considerably due to their dedicated efforts.

Informing that the State Government will acquire equipments for Hepatitis-C testing in January next year, the Chief Minister expressed hope that this would bring lots of relief to the persons, who have HIV/HCV co-infection.

As drug addiction is one of the factors for spread of HIV virus, N. Biren said that the Government had launched mass drives against drugs and other intoxicants.

He also said that the State Government is all set to implement different social security schemes to support needy people, differently-abled persons and widows.

Stating that the Government had announced free diagnosis for 57 different items in Government medical facilities, the Chief Minister further said that this noble initiative will never fructify without doctors’ co-operation.

The Chief Minister further contended that the officials concerned should ensure to the public that quality of diagnosis is not inferior to that of the test done by private institutes.

Urging the public to immediately lodge complaints at Grievance Cell and Anti-Corruption Cell opened at CM’s secretariat if they come across any irregularity on the part of Government employees including doctors and other health workers, N. Biren informed the gathering that all the reasonable and logical complaints/grievances reach his table the next day.

Speaking at the function as the president, Health and Family Welfare Minister L. Jayantakumar observed that a strong and collective determination is required to tackle the menace of HIV/AIDS.

Apart from releasing a book entitled, ‘The Pink Book: Your Guide for Safe and Nutritious Food at Home’, the Chief Minister also launched a Mobile Food Testing Laboratory vehicle at the function.

Later, the Chief Minister along with the dignitaries also inspected the stalls of different NGOs and SHGs put up at the function venue.

Prizes for different competitions held in connection with the observance were also distributed at the occasion.

The observance was organised by Manipur State AIDS Control Society.

World AIDS Day at Moreh

Moreh, Dec. 1: Medicines Sans Frontiers ( MSF ) organised 30th World AIDS Day observance in front of Moreh Post Office. A street show to spread awareness about the menace of HIV and AIDS was also staged at around 2 pm.

A two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to those victims of HIV and AIDS.

A street play to spread awareness on HIV and AIDS was also staged.

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Kumbi College observes World AIDS Day

Imphal, Dec 1: Principal and programme officer of NSS of Kumbi College launched a campaign in connection with the World AIDS Day observance in front of the college gate. Volunteers of NSS distributed leaflets and sweets to the passengers coming by auto, magic, bus, car etc.

Silchar, Dec.1: Three cadres of Naga National Council, NNC have been apprehended by Silchar police on Thursday night from Silchar ‘s Meherpur area.

From the police sources, it has been revealed that on the basis of secret information, raid was conducted at several places of Silchar by a Special Operation wing of Silchar police.

The apprehended members of NNC are Sumgailung Gonmy, 19, s/o- Semroi of Lamdailong, Keirijin Kamai, 35, s/o- Gusuang of Lamdailong of Jirighat and Thuijinang Kamai, 26, s/o- Gagoiyang of Singfonglong under Nungba police station of Tamenglong.

Imphal, Dec 1: Renovation works for the Guest House of State Legislative Assembly, located at Major Khul in Imphal, at the southern side of Manipur Press Club is being underway. The Guest House was earlier a hang out zone for friends of VVIPs and VIPs.

With Assembly authority understanding the need for repairement of the Guest House, renovation works has been underway at present.

Earlier, no government authority – either it may be committee members from state assemblies of other state visited the Manipur Legislative Assembly stayed in the guest house which is being built for the accommodation of such visit.

A view of the guest house from the Manipur Press Club tells the story of why the official visitors will not like to stay in the rooms of the guest house. Now that renovation works is seen being taken up but no details of how the renovation is being carried out is being let known to the public.

During the conference of the North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association inaugurate by the Speaker of the Parliament Sumitra Mahajan at Manipur Legislative Assembly complex in June this year none of the delegates or their associates were accommodated at the State Assembly Guest house.

A former MLA while talking to this writer said earlier condition of the rooms at state assembly guest house was not suited for the MLAs to stay. But as renovation works is being taken up may be the quality of the rooms may be improved, the ex MLA added. He however said any ex-MLAs or MLAs can stay in the Guest house with payment of nominal fees.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Imphal Times said a high class officer of the Manipur Legislative Assembly who had even took charge as secretary in charge, now demoted as additional secy have constructed a house for his own inside the premises of the State Assembly Guest house. The source did not disclose on how the house is being constructed under what agreement.